Articles tagged with Nuclear Energy
A French scientist has developed an open source simulation method to calculate the actual cost of relying on a combination of electricity sources. The study found that an optimal mix contains a large amount of nuclear power and a small amount of fluctuating energies like wind and solar.
A team of Clemson University researchers will use a $5.25 million grant from the US Department of Energy to advance nuclear monitoring, remediation and disposal technologies in South Carolina. The project aims to address key scientific issues related to radioactive contaminants and develop integrative models for radionuclide transport.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have produced a trillion fusion neutrons using the MagLIF technique, which uses magnetic fields and a laser to preheat hydrogen fuel. The achievement demonstrates the viability of this novel approach for achieving break-even fusion.
A team of scientists from Virginia Tech has proposed using neutrino detectors to monitor plutonium production in Iran's Arak reactor. The technology can detect antineutrinos produced by fission of uranium-235 and plutonium-239, providing high-level monitoring not currently offered by any other technique.
UH chemical engineer Lars Grabow has received a $750,000 five-year award from the Department of Energy to continue his research on upgrading bio-oil. Bio-oil is created by heating biomass and has high oxygen content, making it unstable for use as transportation fuel or chemical feedstock.
The US Department of Energy has recognized six exceptional scientists and engineers with the 2013 Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award for their contributions to research and development supporting energy, science, and national security missions. The award recipients have made significant advances in various scientific fields.
The CEBAF accelerator successfully delivered its first data of the 12 GeV era, achieving 6.11 GeV electrons at 2 nanoAmps average current for over an hour. The milestone marks a major step in the commissioning process and demonstrates the ability to deliver high-energy beams beyond the original operational energy.
Researchers at Princeton University and PPPL are developing a unique process to verify that nuclear weapons contain true warheads. The goal is to confirm the authenticity of inspected items without revealing sensitive information.
A team of physicists reveals how oxygen-16's nuclear shape differs between its ground and first excited states, shedding light on the element's production. The findings may improve our understanding of helium-burning reactions in red giant stars.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories successfully reduced magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities by adding a secondary magnetic field created by a Helmholz coil to their experiments. This modification allowed the liner to compress fuel more effectively, potentially leading to controlled nuclear fusion.
Researchers in China are exploring a method to extract uranium from seawater, a potential solution to ensure reliable supplies of the fuel. Despite the challenge of extracting uranium from seawater at economic viability, progress has been made, including successful experiments by Japan and the US.
A Cornell professor outlines a path to achieving a European standard of living for the world's population, driven by growth in renewable energy sources. The proposed solution requires significant energy production, with a focus on nuclear power, to meet the 'Grand Challenge' of global prosperity.
The Human System Simulation Laboratory at Idaho National Laboratory is a full-scale virtual nuclear control room that tests proposed technology replacements before implementation. This facility enables scientists to improve control-room designs by studying human interactions with instruments and responses to alarms. The lab is now help...
A lightweight, compact, and low-cost X-ray system has been developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory and Tribogenics. The MiniMAX camera-based system provides real-time inspection of sealed containers and facilities, enabling new applications in security inspection, field medicine, specimen radiography, and industrial inspection.
Andrew Ivanov, a Kansas State University physicist, has received the Department of Energy Early Career Research Award to study the Large Hadron Collider. He aims to find a partner particle to the top quark and improve the Compact Muon Solenoid Pixel Detector system.
A low-carbon hybrid energy system is proposed to integrate coal with nuclear, wind, solar, biomass, and hydro power to reduce CO2 emission and recycle carbon. The system utilizes carbon recycling to produce useful materials while increasing energy efficiency.
The University of Tennessee will participate in two Department of Energy projects worth over $9 million to enhance nuclear energy safety and efficiency. Researchers aim to develop new materials and designs that can prevent accidents, such as those seen at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a novel method for containing hot plasma using mug-handle-like coils, which require less energy than current methods. The new approach stabilizes the plasma, enabling more efficient fusion energy production.
Researchers aim to develop models that predict material response over years and decades for plasma reactor operation. The team will examine how surfaces respond to energetic neutrons and ions, tackling a critical aspect of achieving fusion energy.
Scientists at Carnegie Institution have observed a new form of very hard carbon clusters that are unusual in their mix of crystalline and disordered structure. These clusters can indent diamond, indicating they are superhard, and their unique structure has potential applications for various uses.
A team of researchers has directly measured shell effects in the heaviest elements, providing new insights into nuclear stability. By weighing the heaviest atomic nuclei with utmost precision, the scientists have benchmarked existing models and shed light on the 'Island of Stability', a region where superheavy elements are predicted to...
Researchers found that more efficient lighting leads to increased productivity, rather than lower energy consumption. Historically, improvements in lighting have resulted in higher light consumption, not savings.
Notre Dame physicists are utilizing a new particle accelerator to recreate stellar nuclear processes in the lab. The research complements observational studies of new telescopes, shedding light on cosmic nucleosynthesis processes.
Researchers at RHIC and LHC collaborate to recreate extreme conditions of early universe, studying quarks and gluons in a nearly frictionless liquid. Theoretical approaches using string theory reveal intriguing connections between QGP and conventional plasmas, superconductors, and atoms.
A group of KIT researchers has been granted €4.25 million to enhance the efficiency of organic solar cells to over 10% using tandem architectures and novel materials. The new generation of solar cells is light, flexible, semi-transparent, and can be produced at low cost.
UT researchers successfully test technology to insulate and stabilize central solenoid, a critical component in experimental fusion reactor. The technology uses a glass fiber and epoxy mixture to provide electrical insulation and strength.
The authors recommend establishing a system of independent regulation and peer review for countries involved in nuclear energy and weapons development. They also urge adoption of U.S.-style independent peer review and improved dialogue between the military and nuclear energy communities to reduce risks and promote international trust.
The NDCX-II accelerator is a compact machine designed to produce powerful pulses of ion beams that can accelerate heavy-ion fusion energy production. Research with NDCX-II aims to advance the acceleration, compression, and focusing of intense ion beams.
Jie Lian, a nuclear engineering expert at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has won a prestigious Faculty Early Career Development Award (CAREER) from the National Science Foundation. He will use the award to develop new advanced materials for use in nuclear power production.
Computer simulations performed at Sandia National Laboratories demonstrate a high-gain nuclear fusion method, releasing energy 100 times greater than input current. The technique uses a magnetic field to suppress heat loss during implosion, potentially leading to reliable electricity production from seawater.
Scientists emphasize the importance of evidence-based policies and challenge 'policy-biased evidence' to ensure impartial decision-making. They also urge the scientific community to think globally and act with greater public engagement to guard against science misuse in policy-making.
Researchers use metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to remove volatile radioactive gas from spent nuclear fuel, reducing waste and increasing the possibility of clean nuclear energy production. The discovery could be applied to nuclear fuel reprocessing or cleanup of nuclear reactor accidents.
Mildred S. Dresselhaus and Burton Richter are recognized for their pioneering research and scientific leadership in various fields, including condensed matter systems and particle physics. The award acknowledges their contributions to energy and economic security, as well as their efforts to promote diversity and gender equity in science.
A new study suggests that small modular reactors (SMRs) could play a significant role in the future of US nuclear power generation. The report concludes that SMRs would be highly advantageous for various sectors in the US, stimulating high-valued job growth and restoring US leadership in nuclear reactor technology.
Recent efforts by the US Department of Energy have analyzed remediation technology projects, technical reviews, and communication models to address nuclear waste management. The development of new tools and approaches is crucial to ensure continued safe and secure storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level wastes.
Three Penn State-led projects have received more than $1.6 million in combined research and development grants to improve nuclear fuel safety and develop new alloys for extended service. The projects focus on understanding corrosion protectiveness, detecting damage before fatigue cracks, and developing advanced monitoring methods.
The Sandia Cooler technology significantly reduces the energy needed to cool processor chips in data centers and large-scale computing environments. It achieves this by efficiently transferring heat across a narrow air gap, minimizing boundary layer thickness and fouling problems.
Scientists at Carnegie's Geophysical Laboratory have discovered a metallic glass that demonstrates long-range order among its atoms, a key characteristic of the elusive 'perfect glass' state. By applying high pressure, they were able to create a single crystal and preserve its structural order.
A Rutgers study finds that factors such as ecological degradation and trust in energy facilities play a significant role in shaping public preferences for coal and nuclear energy. The research suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach to energy policy is unlikely to succeed, highlighting the need for a comprehensive strategy addressin...
A study by Behnam Taebi explores the moral desirability of nuclear power production methods, considering technological realities and ethical issues. The author argues that distinguishing between different nuclear energy production methods is crucial before making informed choices.
The US lags behind other countries in nuclear fuel recycling due to unfounded concerns and myths. Reprocessing spent fuel can recover significant energy value and reduce high-level nuclear waste volume.
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre has created a European nuclear security training centre to train first responders at the EU level. The centre offers a balanced approach between theoretical lectures and hands-on sessions, covering topics such as nuclear forensics and radiological crime scene management. International col...
SmartSignal's patented technology helps predict pump failures at nuclear facilities, later developed for power and oil & gas industries. GE acquisition aims to utilize its software and services to monitor machinery and equipment, analyze data, and diagnose problems proactively.
Scientists at Sandia have successfully imaged the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in fast Z-pinches, a major obstacle to harnessing nuclear fusion. The accurate simulations will enable researchers to better tweak conditions and combat the effect of the instability, potentially achieving scientific breakeven in two to three years.
A new gamma-ray detector, Polaris, can pinpoint and show the exact location of radiation sources, unlike conventional detectors. It provides a real-time image of the radiation source, allowing inspectors to navigate towards it with precision.
A new assessment warns that current imbalances in energy technology R&D portfolios will hinder climate change mitigation unless investments in energy efficiency are increased. Energy efficiency accounts for up to 50% of potential GHG emissions reductions, yet receives less than 10% of overall public sector investment.
The collaboration aims to provide valuable information on subjects of mutual interest while assisting Ukrainians' research efforts. The team plans to publish their findings in scholarly journals, with papers scheduled for publication in the Health Physics Journal.
A new study proposes a 20-year plan to revive nuclear energy, aiming to replace aging power plants with efficient mini-reactors. The researchers suggest new reactor designs could use uranium more efficiently, reducing waste and ensuring energy security.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have been awarded a US-Israel Energy Independence Partnership Grant to develop self-sustainable fuel cycles for light water reactors. The project aims to improve nuclear energy efficiency, reduce uranium enrichment needs, and extend available energy resources.
The US Department of Energy has awarded nearly $1.3 million in funding to two research projects at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, focusing on improving the nuclear fuel cycle and developing next-generation nuclear reactors.
The study of single-particle resonant states in deformed relativistic potentials is essential for understanding exotic short-lived nuclei far from stability. The research team finds that the admixture of s1/2 component determines the occurrence of single-neutron resonant states as functions of the axial deformation parameter.
The Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL) uses advanced computer models to explore innovations in nuclear plant engineering and design, aiming to optimize safety and efficiency. North Carolina State University is playing a key leadership role in the program, receiving approximately $11 million in funding ove...
Researchers from UTK-ORNL-Oslo successfully compute the proton halo state in Fluorine-17 using a many-body problem approach. This breakthrough calculation provides tools to investigate nuclear existence and predict properties for applied fields.
The American Chemical Society symposium on cold fusion has brought together nearly 50 presentations on the topic, indicating that it may be a reality. Researchers are making progress toward battery-based energy and discovering natural occurrences of cold fusion in certain bacteria.
Solid-state lighting has the potential to reduce energy consumption for lighting by a factor of three to six times, with current forms of light-production producing up to 95% wasted energy. Phillips will discuss ways to harness existing energy sources and identify areas of needed nanotechnology research
A new experiment has confirmed that a levitating magnet can create a dense plasma, a crucial step in achieving fusion reactions. The findings offer a potential new path to fusion energy, which could provide a long-term solution to the planet's energy needs without contributing to global warming.
A new computer algorithm developed by researchers at Argonne National Laboratory allows scientists to view nuclear fission in much finer detail than ever before. The code has already produced new scientific results through highly detailed simulations of the Zero Power Reactor experiments on powerful supercomputers.
The LHC has successfully recorded its first proton collisions, providing a crucial benchmark for the accelerator's performance. The ALICE experiment detected 284 collisions at an energy of 450 GeV, confirming previous measurements and laying the groundwork for future experiments.
Researchers achieved a world record by consuming approximately 19% of its low-enriched uranium, more than double the previous record. The advanced fuel design demonstrates robustness and safety, paving the way for commercial-scale HTGR fuel production.
A new research project at Idaho National Laboratory will use an innovative approach to learn how to get more use from nuclear fuel. The team plans to put pure samples of common actinides into the Advanced Test Reactor, which will then be analyzed using accelerator mass spectroscopy.